Questioning your brain power
If you’re in the market for a microcar -- a term I was hesitant to use until I set foot in the likes of the Scion iQ -- then you already know what to expect: very little. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way (shockingly), I mean you’ll be getting little amounts of everything (wheelbase, engine displacement, trunk space, respect on the road, etc.).
What makes the 2013 Scion iQ “unique” in the microcar market is its ability to seat four. While the ability is there, I don’t really recommend it. All you need to know at the moment is that I managed to make the Scion iQ my family vehicle for the week with a baby seat, stroller, 6-foot husband and all.
What is the Scion iQ?
Well, first off it’s small. Really, it’s kind of shocking the first time you walk up to it. First unveiled in 2008 at the Geneva Auto Show, the Toyota iQ (as it’s known in Europe) was released as a direct competitor for the Mercedes smart fortwo, a vehicle that previously stood alone in the segment in North America.
The iQ is a microcar -- or supermini -- thanks to its 2-meter (78.7”) wheelbase and 3.05-meter (120.1”) length. Designed for city living, the Scion iQ isn’t about power and driveability, but more about being comfortable in small spaces .
Technicalities
The 2013 Scion iQ is a 2+2, three-door hatchback equipped with front-wheel drive and carrying around a somewhat peppy 94 horsepower 1.3L 4-cylinder engine. Controlling the Scion iQ’s miniature grunt is a CVT that’s actually not the most horrible thing in the world.
The car’s starting price is a little shocking. At $17,070 I think Scion (and by association, Toyota) are out to lunch on this one. I’m clearly not the only one who thinks so. In 2012, Fiat sold eight times as many 500s (another micromini offering four spots), and since the beginning of 2013 they’ve outsold Scion iQs by nearly 2,200 units.
Driving the Scion iQ
In all honesty, the 2013 Scion iQ is quite pleasant to drive. The transmission is much “easier” to master than the smart fortwo’s (which will make most favour the iQ, I’d say), and the CVT fake shifts, which my ears appreciated. Engine and road nose at highway speeds was a bit harsh and required raised voices and/or music to compensate. And while it was convenient having Bluetooth hookup for my phone, again at highway speeds callers found it very hard to hear me.
Handling in the 2013 Scion iQ is exactly how you’d expect it to be: precise and nimble. I was a bit shocked at the weight transfer under heavy braking or acceleration, but then it does have a “backseat,” unlike the smart fortwo.
After a week behind the wheel, I averaged roughly 7L/100km. In the 2013 Scion iQ, I should have been seeing closer to 5L. Why do I think that happened? Well, my right foot is mostly blame, as is the want/need to pop it into “S” (sport) mode as often as possible.
Inside and Out of the Scion iQ
Like a real-life Angry Bird, the 2013 Scion iQ looks like it has a serious chip on its shoulder. Intimidation through visual tactics is obviously the name of the game, as it’s not fooling anyone with its size. Beefy and squat, it looks determined -- determined to prove a point. Little Car Syndrome, for sure.
Inside, I did expect more. For the price of my tester (close to the $19k mark), I found the plastics much too cheap and the seats uncomfortable.
It is important to note that, yes, I did manage to fit my Britax Advocate baby seat in the back (with my nearly 2-year-old son in it), as well as a small umbrella stroller. And not much else. Sure, it can seat four, but not if the driver is over 5’3”. With the rear seats down, the 2013 Scion iQ offers only 168 litres of trunk space (the Fiat 500 offers 184 litres… with the rear seats up).
Comparing the Scion iQ
I’ve already done a bit of comparing throughout the text, but I’ll go a little further now. What I find most shocking is that for a few hundred dollars more, you can get a 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo. If the Fiat’s not small enough and you don’t really care about the back seats, then you’re looking at the smart fortwo coupe, which you can have for nearly $3k less, and frankly I prefer the interior and drive of the smart.
Based on sales numbers, I’m glad to see the general public is actually showing some intelligence when it comes to choosing other microcar models over the Scion iQ.
If you’re in the market for a microcar -- a term I was hesitant to use until I set foot in the likes of the Scion iQ -- then you already know what to expect: very little. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way (shockingly), I mean you’ll be getting little amounts of everything (wheelbase, engine displacement, trunk space, respect on the road, etc.).
What makes the 2013 Scion iQ “unique” in the microcar market is its ability to seat four. While the ability is there, I don’t really recommend it. All you need to know at the moment is that I managed to make the Scion iQ my family vehicle for the week with a baby seat, stroller, 6-foot husband and all.
What is the Scion iQ?
Well, first off it’s small. Really, it’s kind of shocking the first time you walk up to it. First unveiled in 2008 at the Geneva Auto Show, the Toyota iQ (as it’s known in Europe) was released as a direct competitor for the Mercedes smart fortwo, a vehicle that previously stood alone in the segment in North America.
The iQ is a microcar -- or supermini -- thanks to its 2-meter (78.7”) wheelbase and 3.05-meter (120.1”) length. Designed for city living, the Scion iQ isn’t about power and driveability, but more about being comfortable in small spaces .
Technicalities
The 2013 Scion iQ is a 2+2, three-door hatchback equipped with front-wheel drive and carrying around a somewhat peppy 94 horsepower 1.3L 4-cylinder engine. Controlling the Scion iQ’s miniature grunt is a CVT that’s actually not the most horrible thing in the world.
The car’s starting price is a little shocking. At $17,070 I think Scion (and by association, Toyota) are out to lunch on this one. I’m clearly not the only one who thinks so. In 2012, Fiat sold eight times as many 500s (another micromini offering four spots), and since the beginning of 2013 they’ve outsold Scion iQs by nearly 2,200 units.
Driving the Scion iQ
In all honesty, the 2013 Scion iQ is quite pleasant to drive. The transmission is much “easier” to master than the smart fortwo’s (which will make most favour the iQ, I’d say), and the CVT fake shifts, which my ears appreciated. Engine and road nose at highway speeds was a bit harsh and required raised voices and/or music to compensate. And while it was convenient having Bluetooth hookup for my phone, again at highway speeds callers found it very hard to hear me.
Handling in the 2013 Scion iQ is exactly how you’d expect it to be: precise and nimble. I was a bit shocked at the weight transfer under heavy braking or acceleration, but then it does have a “backseat,” unlike the smart fortwo.
After a week behind the wheel, I averaged roughly 7L/100km. In the 2013 Scion iQ, I should have been seeing closer to 5L. Why do I think that happened? Well, my right foot is mostly blame, as is the want/need to pop it into “S” (sport) mode as often as possible.
Inside and Out of the Scion iQ
Like a real-life Angry Bird, the 2013 Scion iQ looks like it has a serious chip on its shoulder. Intimidation through visual tactics is obviously the name of the game, as it’s not fooling anyone with its size. Beefy and squat, it looks determined -- determined to prove a point. Little Car Syndrome, for sure.
Inside, I did expect more. For the price of my tester (close to the $19k mark), I found the plastics much too cheap and the seats uncomfortable.
It is important to note that, yes, I did manage to fit my Britax Advocate baby seat in the back (with my nearly 2-year-old son in it), as well as a small umbrella stroller. And not much else. Sure, it can seat four, but not if the driver is over 5’3”. With the rear seats down, the 2013 Scion iQ offers only 168 litres of trunk space (the Fiat 500 offers 184 litres… with the rear seats up).
Comparing the Scion iQ
I’ve already done a bit of comparing throughout the text, but I’ll go a little further now. What I find most shocking is that for a few hundred dollars more, you can get a 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo. If the Fiat’s not small enough and you don’t really care about the back seats, then you’re looking at the smart fortwo coupe, which you can have for nearly $3k less, and frankly I prefer the interior and drive of the smart.
Based on sales numbers, I’m glad to see the general public is actually showing some intelligence when it comes to choosing other microcar models over the Scion iQ.
Road Tests and Reviews
Experts
Consumers
2013 Scion iQ
Review Highlights
Article Gallery